Fewer trends in Seattle council contests

This year brought unusually individualized races for the Seattle City Council, observes political consultant Christian Sinderman, whose clients include council candidates Bruce Harrell and Tim Burgess.

“It’s not a referendum on the council as an institution, it’s a referendum on individual races,” Sinderman said.

“It’s a more fluid council election than it has been in the last couple (cycles),” he said. “I think people are looking at the races individually this year because there’s an open seat and there’s a tight contest in (the Burgess challenge of incumbent David Della.)

By contrast, previous council elections reflected broader trends. Two years ago, challenges to incumbents generally fell flat. Four years ago, challengers swept three incumbents out of office.